Amman, Jordan – The grand marriage ceremony of the Jordanian Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Saudi Arabia’s Princess Rajwa Al Hussein took place at Zahran Palace on Thursday. The event was attended by distinguished guests from around the world, including prominent leaders, royalty, and high-ranking officials.
The bride, adorned in an exquisite white dress designed by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, arrived at Zahran Palace in a 1968 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, specially made for the crown prince’s late great-grandmother. The groom, dressed in full ceremonial military uniform, arrived earlier, donning a gold-hilted saber.
The couple exchanged their vows in a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony called “katb al-ketab” in an open-air gazebo adorned with flowers and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. The signing of the marriage contract was met with thunderous applause. As per a royal decree, Rajwa Alseif will now be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein.
Across the kingdom, crowds gathered to witness the wedding festivities. In an ancient Roman amphitheater several miles away, thousands of people watched the couple seal their vows and exchange rings on a large screen. The crowd erupted in excitement, waving flags and cheering, marking the beginning of a joyous celebration.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds made their appearance in a white custom Range Rover, escorted by a procession of red Land Rovers, motorcycles, and a military marching band—a nod to the traditional horse-mounted processions during the reign of King Abdullah I, the country’s founder. The city of Amman declared Thursday a public holiday to allow the public to gather and greet the couple’s motorcade amid tight security measures. Free concerts and cultural events were organized, attracting tens of thousands of well-wishers.
The occasion was attended King Abdullah and Queen Rania, who received members of the Royal Hashemite Family, the parents of Princess Rajwa, and the Alseif family.
Several notable personalities attended the momentous event, including President Abdul Latif Rashid of Iraq, accompanied by his spouse, as well as Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah and Queen Azizah Aminah of Malaysia, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, and King Philippe of the Belgians, along with Crown Princess Elisabeth.
The First Lady of the United States Jill Biden also attended the ceremony.
The gathering also included the presence of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who also holds the position of Prime Minister, and Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi.
In addition, Prince William of Wales and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, attended the event, alongside Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden accompanied by Prince Daniel, and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
Among the invitees were Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Oman. Prince Abdul Mateen Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, along with Intissar El Sisi, spouse of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and their daughter Aya were also among the distinguished attendees. Princess Takamado Hisako and her daughter Princess Tsuguko of Japan were also present to celebrate the joyous occasion.
To honor the guests the King Abdullah and Queen Rania Al Abdullah hosted an official dinner banquet at Al Husseiniya Palace on the same day.
The royal couple warmly welcomed members of the Royal Family, the Alseif family, as well as leaders, crown princes, and prominent figures from various Arab and friendly nations.